Hidden water system

ABSTRACT

A hidden water system comprising an open-ended non-pressurized shell buried in the ground with only the removable top above ground and with the bottom portion below the frost line and connected to the top of a well casing. A constant pressure valve unit is mounted in the bottom portion of the shell in fluid communication with a submersible pump in the well casing and also with a demand pipe through a sliding pitless adapter fitted to the shell, and with pump and valve controls at the top of the shell for controlling operation of the valve and the pump.

' D United States Patent 1 1 11 1 3,875,698

Clark l l Apr. 8, 1975 [5 1 HIDDEN WATER SYSTEM 3.679.326 7/1972 Weber 417/33 3. 82. 58 l 74 4 3 [76] Inventor: Thomas B. Clark, 2338 Elm St.. 7 8 Dcferb 17/ 8 D' t,l 52803 dvenpor owd Primary ExaniihefrW1ll1am L. Freeh l l Flledi 1973 Attorney. Age"). yr Firm-Henderson & Strom [211 App]. No.: 405,830

[57] ABSTRACT UOSO Cl. t A rsystem comprising an open ended II!- Cl. non-p essurized she" buried in the ground only Field of Search the removable above ground and the bottom portion below the frost line and connected to the top l l References Clled of a well casing. A constant pressure valve unit is UNITED STATES PATENTS mounted in the bottom portion of the shell in fluid 2.807114 9/1967 Patterson 417 44 communication with Submersible P the 2.929.597 4/1958 Patterson 417/44 casing and also th a d mand pip through a sliding 3.100.505 8/1963 Johnson 1. 417/44 pitless adapter fitted to the shell. and with pump and 3.106.894 10/1963 Johnson 417/38 valve controls at the top of the shell for controlling 3.l23.689 3/1964 Baker 1 4l7/44 peration of [he Valve and the 3,l65.07(l 1/1965 Baker 4l7/4S 3.563.671 2/1971 Weber 417/38 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 2/ I 76 l 79 I I 414 H 4 22\ PATENTEDAPR ems FIG. 5

HIDDEN WATER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The normal system for providing water from a well includes either a pump in the well casing and a conduit leading to a storage tank in the basement of a building, with appropriate controls or a well with a pump and a storage tank in a pit above the well. For sanitation purposes, and also due to flooding problems, most present day systems have abandoned the latter and gone to a submersible pump, with the storage tank back in the basement or buried in the ground at or near the well.

This arrangement is not altogether satisfactory, as storage tanks in all but arid regions are subject to sweating in the summer months, and furthermore any pneumatic system such as this, except those with a captive air chamber, requires constant adding and bleeding off of air through mechanical device of various expense and complication. Buried tanks can be used but these subject to corrosion from soil acids and are of short life unless of expensive construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention comprises an open-ended nonpressurized shell having a detachable watertight lid, which shell is placed in the ground, having a length sufficient that the lower portion thereof is below the frost line of the ground, and which shell is adapted to be fitted in one manner or another to the well casing. A valve means is inserted in the shell below the frost line which is capable of delivering water to an outlet thereof from the well pump at a constant pressure, at any given flow, the valve means having a pressure switch outlet; and a pitless adapter connects the valve outlet to a demand conduit through the wall of the shell, and with pressure responsive control means located at the upper end of the shell which is responsive to the valve pressure switch outlet to control the pump in response to the demand.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel and very compact hidden water system, with only a service pipe coming into the building like the service from a municipal system.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved water system wherein the need for a pneumatic storage tank is obviated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water system wherein neither the sweating or corrosion of a storage tank occurs, and further wherein the attendant problems of air charging and bleeding are obviated.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hidden water system located away from the home or building and wherein no apparatus is in the home or building; and further wherein the entire apparatus when in use is virtually vandal proof and free of possible damage from surface flooding, and yet is readily available for servicing, above the ground.

It is another object of this invention to provide with the basic system a novel freeze-proof connection between the surface controls and the valve unit.

In summation, a compact, simplified and economical water system which has eliminated the conventional pneumatic tank is provided, and which provides water at a constant pressure at any given flow, without the usual short cycling of the pump.

These objects, and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic of the general water system;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the interior of the shell;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the top of the shell;

FIG. 4 is a section of the constant pressure valve unit;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the adapter device; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the frost-free connection in the fluid control line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the water system 10 of this invention is shown in FIG. 1, which system 10 is substantially hidden in the ground, and serves to supply water to the interior of a building 12, for example, through a demand water conduit 13. Electricity for operating the system 10 is supplied through.an electrical conduit 14, and the entire system 10 may be shut down by a disconnect switch 16 mounted on the interior of the building 12.

The water system comprises generally a shell assembly 18 (FIGS. 1 and 2) disposed within the ground ex cept for an exposed portion above the ground level 19 (FIG. I); a valve unit 21 (FIGS. 2 and 4) fluid connected by a drop pipe 22 to a conventional submersible pump (not shown) disposed below in well casing 23, the valve unit 21 adapted to deliver water under constant pressure at any given flow to the conduit 13; an adapter unit 24 (FIGS. 2 and 5) connecting the valve unit 21 via the shell assembly 18 to the water conduit 13; and a conventional control assembly 26 (FIG. 2) mounted at the top of the shell assembly 18 within the interior thereof and connected to the electrical conduit 14 and to the pump by conventional means for operating the pump in response to a predetermined demand of water from the valve unit 21, as described hereinafter.

A lift rod 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is secured to the adapter unit 24 and extended to the upper part of the shell assembly I8, whereby the control assembly 26 when electrically disconnected from its supply, the valve unit 21, and the pump can be lifted out, this all provided for by the type of pitless adapter unit 24 utilized.

More specifically, the shell assembly 18 comprises an open-ended shell 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) having dimensions, for example, of 14 inch diameter and a length which, when the shell 28 is buried in the ground is such that the lower portion 29 is below the frost line of that geographical area, and with the upper portion 31 (FIG. 1) above the ground level 19 for accessibility to the interior thereof. The assembly 18 includes further a base flange 32 of smaller diameter than the shell 28 for attachment in any known manner, such as threading, welding or compression joint, to the top flange 33 (FIG. 1) of the well casing 23.

A lid or cover 34 (FIG. 2) is adapted to be secured to the upper portion 31 of the shell 28, with a watertight gasket, and as the cover 34 is slightly above the ground level 19, it can readily be removed for access to the interior of the shell 28. The cover 34 can be fitted with a screened breather fitting (not shown) extended above any possible flood water level, if desired.

By this arrangement, vandalism of the water system and flood damage is kept at a minimum.

The valve unit 21 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is of a commercial type which is adapted to maintain a constant pressure at any given flow on the water in the system regardless of the demand, and in conjunction with the control assembly 26 shuts off the pump only when the demand through conduit 13 is withdrawn. A commercial embodiment of the valve unit 21 is manufactured by Red Jacket Pumps, Davenport, Iowa. under the tradename CPO Valve.

The valve unit 21 comprises a steel dome 36 secured by a flange 35 to the flange 35a ofa cast iron body 37, and holding between the flanges a diaphragm retainer plane 38 with an air opening 39 centrally thereof, and a rubberized diaphragm 41 therebelow. An air valve 42 is mounted on the top of the dome 36, and which is connected by an air conduit 43 leading to the upper portion of the shell 28 for recharging where necessary; and by this arrangement a pair of air pressure chambers 44 and 46 are formed above and below the diaphragm plate 38, respectively.

Secured by a washer 47 or the like to the underside of the diaphragm 41 is a stainless steel poppet valve 48 the lower end 49 of which is adapted to seat in a fluid tight manner upwardly against a valve seat 51 formed in the body 37 and which seat is aided by a Teflon seal 52 secured about the circular seat 51. A water chamber 53 is formed within the body 37 and has a pressure switch outlet 54 leading to one side of the body 37, an outlet 56 leading to another side thereof for fluid connection by an elbow unit 57 (FIGS. 2) to the adapter unit 24, and has an inlet 58 formed in the base thereof, threaded for fluid connection via the valve seat 51 to the pump drop pipe 22.

Under normal conditions, with no demand on the sys tem the poppet lower end 49 is seated in the seat 51, the water pressure on the end 49 and diaphragm 41 being greater than the air pressure above the diaphragm. Upon the calling for water through the conduit 13 even by opening a single conventional sink-type faucet (not shown), the lowering of the water pressure in the chamber 53 is detected by the control assembly 26, which then energizes the pump to cause water to be forced upwardly through the drop pipe 22, into the body inlet 58, through the now open seat 51 due to the pressure in the chamber 53 dropping the diaphragm 41 and poppet valve 48 have been lowered, and through the body outlet 56, the elbow unit 57 and the adapter unit 24 to the demand conduit 13.

Prior to describing the control assembly 26, it may be noted that the adapter unit 24 (FIGS. 2 and 5) comprises basically a female part 61 which is fitted to an opening (not shown) formed in the well 62 of the shell 28 and connected by a collar 63 and nut 64 thereto and to the demand conduit 13; and a male part 66 interposed between the elbow unit 57 and the solid or tubular but non-fluid carrying lift pipe 27, and which male part 66 includes a plate 67 vertically slidable within a channel 68 formed therefor within the female part 61. The male part 66 has a fluid opening (not shown) formed in the face of the plate 67 and which registers with an opening 69 formed in the channel 68 when the two parts are properly mated.

The control assembly 26 is a conventional arrangement for a three-wire submersible pump and includes in addition to a control box 71 (FIG. 2) housing the electrical component a pressure switch 72 responsive through a fluid conduit 73 to the pressure of the valve chamber 53, and a pressure gauge 74 fluid connected thereto. The control box 71 is electrically connected with the pump for energizing same in response to a predetermined fall in the water pressure in the valve chamber 53, and does not shut down the pump until the demand has ceased, during which time conventional operation of the pump as described hereinbefore maintains a constant pressure at any given flow in the water system 10. The control assembly 26 can be used also for a two-wire submersible pump by leaving out the control box 71.

To ensure that the change of pressure within the valve water chamber 53 (FIG. 4) is detected, a device indicated generally at 76 in FIGS. 2 and 6 is provided. This device 76 comprises a cylindrical housing 77 secured by any conventional sealed means 78 to the water conduit 79 leading to the pressure switch outlet 54 (FIG. 4) of the control valve unit 21. The housing 77 forms a chamber 81 within which is retained water from the valve chamber 58, and which housing chamber 81 is fluid tight due also to other sealed means 82 at the upper end to which the fluid conduit 73 leading to the control pressure switch 72 (FIG. 2) is connected.

Fluid connected only to the conduit 73, and disposed within the chamber 81 is a flexible tube 83 (FIG. 6) sealed at its lower end 84. The tube 83 and the conduit 73 are filled with a fluid, such as any commercially available anti-freeze, having a freezing point lower than water. By this arrangement, the fluid from the housing 77 disposed below the frost line and extended thereabove, will not freeze. It may readily be seen that any change of the pressure of the water in the chamber 81, reflecting directly a change in the control valve chamber 53 will be passed through the flexible tube 83 to the nonfreezing fluid therein and thus be detected at the pressure switch 72.

Thus, so long as there is a demand for water, it will continue to flow through the valve body outlet 56; the pump continuing to operate continuously rather than starting and stopping, until the demand ceases, at which time the pressure in the water chamber 53 builds up sufficiently to effect a closing of the poppet valve 48 on its seat 51, and also effecting from the pressure switch outlet 54 operation of the control assembly 26 to shut off the pump. A new, subsequent demand for water will cause a repeat of the operation set forth hereinbefore.

It can thus be seen that the aforementioned water.

system 10, utilizing: a non-pressurized shell fitted at the bottom to a well casing; a constant pressure valve connected at the bottom of the shell, below the frost line, to a submersible pump; a pitless adapter; and a control system accessible at the top of the shell; and with a lift pipe, all cooperate to provide a hidden water system providing constant water pressure at any given flow and eliminating the conventional pneumatic storage tank.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for transmitting fluid such as water from a submersible pump in a well casing to a demand outlet comprising in combination:

shell means including a hollow shell of sufficient length such that a lower portion thereof would be below the frost line of a given geographical area and with the upper portion thereof above the ground level for accessibility to the interior thereof, said shell having a lower fitting for connection to the well casing. said shell having further an upper fitting for connection to the demand outlet, said shell having a cover detachably affixed to the top of said upper portion, said cover having a screened breather fitting affixed thereto and extended above the flood water level of the given geographical area;

valve means enclosed within said shell means within said lower portion, said valve means connected to the submersible pump and adapted to deliver water under constant pressure at any given flow to an outlet thereof, said valve means having a pressure switch outlet;

adapter means fluid connecting said valve means outlet to said upper fitting of said shell means, said adapter having a first member affixed to said upper fitting and a second member fluid connected to said valve means and removably slidably engageable with said first member;

pressure responsive means located within and at the upper end of said shelf and connected to said pressure switch outlet and to the submersible pump for operating the submersible pump in response to a predetermined demand of water from said vlave means; and

lift means located within said shell means and affixed at a lower end to said second member of said adapter means and extended upwardly therefrom and terminating in an upper end at a position proximate said cover, said pressure responsive means being affixed to said lift means near said upper end of said lift means, whereby said submersible pump, said valve means, said second member of said adapter means and said pressure responsive means are removable by lifting said lift means upwardly and outwardly of said shell.

2. An appartus for transmitting fluid as described in claim 1, and wherein said pressure responsive means includes a chamber open to said pressure switch outlet, and a flexible member contained within said chamber and connected to said switch means at the said upper end. and a liquid within said flexible member having a freezing point lower than water, said switch means responsive to a change in pressure of said liquid as determined by the demand of water from said valve means.

3. An apparatus for transmitting fluid as described in claim 1, and further wherein said valve means includes a valve unit adapted to deliver the water under constant pressure having a housing, a water chamber in said housing, an inlet fluid connected to the pump. a poppet valve normally closing said inlet from said chamber, a pressure switch outlet in fluid communication with said chamber, a diaphragm connected to said valve, fluid pressure in said housing against said diaphragm nor mally tending to open said valve, and an outlet open to said chamber.

4. An apparatus for transmitting fluid as described in claim 3, and further wherein said pressure responsive means includes a chamber open to said pressure switch outlet, and a flexible member contained within said chamber and connected to said switch means at the said upper end, and a liquid within said flexible member having a freezing point lower than water, said switch means responsive to a change in pressure of said liquid as determined by the demand of water from said valve me ans. 

1. An apparatus for transmitting fluid such as water from a submersible pump in a well casing to a demand outlet comprising in combination: shell means including a hollow shell of sufficient length such that a lower portion thereof would be below the frost line of a given geographical area and with the upper portion thereof above the ground level for accessibility to the interior thereof, said shell having a lower fitting for connection to the well casing, said shell having further an upper fitting for connection to the demand outlet, said shell having a cover detachably affixed to the top of said upper portion, said cover having a screened breather fitting affixed thereto and extended above the flood water level of the given geographical area; valve means enclosed within said shell means within said lower portion, said valve means connected to the submersible pump and adapted to deliver water under constant pressure at any given flow to an outlet thereof, said valve means having a pressure switch outlet; adapter means fluid connecting said valve means outlet to said upper fitting of said shell means, said adapter having a first member affixed to said upper fitting and a second member fluid connected to said valve means and removably slidably engageable with said first member; pressure responsive means located within and at the upper end of said shelf and connected to said pressure switch outlet and to the submersible pump for operating the submersible pump in response to a predetermined demand of water from said vlave means; and lift means located within said shell means and affixed at a lower end to said second member of said adapter means and extended upwardly therefrom and terminating in an upper end at a position proximate said cover, said pressure responsive means being affixed to said lift means near said upper end of said lift means, whereby said submersible pump, said valve means, said second member of said adapter means and said pressure responsive means are removable by lifting said lift means upwardly and outwardly of said shell.
 2. An appartus for transmitting fluid as described in claim 1, and wherein said pressure responsive means includes a chamber open to said pressure switch outlet, and a flexible member contained within said chamber and connected to said switch means at the said upper end, and a liquid within said flexible member having a freezing point lower than water, said switch means responsive to a change in pressure of said liquid as determined by the demand of water from said valve means.
 3. An apparatus for transmitting fluid as described in claim 1, and further wherein said valve means includes a valve unit adapted to deliver the water under constant pressure having a housing, a water chamber in said housing, an inlet fluid connected to the pump, a poppet valve normally closing said inlet from said chamber, a pressure switch outlet in fluid communication with said chamber, a diaphragm connected to said valve, fluid pressure in said housing against said diaphragm normally tending to open said valve, and an outlet open to said chamber.
 4. An apparatus for transmitting fluid as described in claim 3, and further wherein said pressure responsive means includes a chamber open to said pressure switch outlet, and a flexible member contained within said chamber and connected to said switch means at the said upper end, and a liquid within said flexible member having a freezing point lower than water, said switch means responsive to a change in pressure of said liquid as determined by the demand of water from said valve means. 